ESCALATING parking problems, noise and air pollution have emerged as key concerns of residents opposed to a proposed luxury development in Cardiff.

Loosemore Home has put a planning application in to Cardiff council to build a 128- apartment-strong gated community and a nursing home in Pontcanna, on the site occupied by St Winefride’s Nursing Home.

But residents say they fear that the proposed development’s 119 parking spaces will not be enough, and that overspill will create further traffic problems in the already heavily-congested Llanfair Road, Conway Road and Romilly Roads, which border the site.

More than 100 residents packed out Conway Road Methodist Church – directly adjacent to St Winefride’s – to hear more about the proposals from developer Loosemore Home and Rio Architects Ltd on Monday night.

“The proposal has 119 parking spaces – 22 of which will be reserved for staff and visitors to the care home,” continued retired television producer Mr deLacey, 76 . “Yet there are plans for 123 living spaces. Cardiff council planning guidance published in 2006, states that for every two-bedroomed dwelling there needs to be an allowance of between 1.5 to two parking spaces.”

Residents also hit out at eco-friendly plans for more than 100 bicycle racks on site.

Speaking after the meeting one female resident said: “Are you really trying to tell me that the kind of people who will buy these luxury flats will not be running a car or two?”

David Loosemore, director of Loosemore Home, told the Echo: “We have held two open days where residents could come into our offices, look at the plans and make comments. We have received a great deal of positive feedback but concerns have also been raised. Many, if not all, of these issues have been discussed with the local authority.”